Bonfire Buffalo score in songwriting competition

Mpumalanga-based music trio, Bonfire Buffalo, have scooped a coveted award in the category for ‘Folk/Singer Songwriter’ in the 2017 International Songwriting Competition (ISC).

The global competition which receives over 16 000 entries from 140 countries, is judged by smash hit artists such as Adam Lambert, Bastille, The Script, Kaskade, to name a few, as well as music industry stalwarts Gregg Nadel, Ed Vetri, Nate Albert and more.

Bonfire Buffalo’s song ‘A Little Sunshine’ received the silver award in the ‘Folk/Singer Songwriter’ category. The awards also saw the band compete with other global musical heavyweights such as Birds Of Tokyo as well as their local counterparts Wonderboom, Rubber Duc and Dan Patlansky; with Bonfire Buffalo taking the highest accolade for any South African act that took part in the initiative.

Bassist Carl Dedekind is ecstatic about the band’s award and what the future holds for them. “We are extremely proud and honoured to be winners in this competition, especially because it is considered the most prestigious songwriting competition in the world,” says Dedekind.

“With songs entered from all over the world, it is an awesome achievement to be one of the winners. Also, some of the judges have had major influence on our music, including Bastille, Tom Waites, Lorde etc and for them to have considered the song to be one of the winners is a huge compliment. We ourselves are proud of the song and are warmed that it has received some international acclaim.”

Bonfire Buffalo is comprised of Ivy Ann van Rooyen on vocals, Ewoud van Rooyen on guitar and Carl Dedekind on bass. The Witbank-based trio have already achieved more than most bands could only dream of since their formation in 2016. Their debut single ‘Back In School’ received nationwide radio play, following by the chart-topping hit ‘Good In Another Life’ featuring ShabZi Madallion. The band has performed alongside the country’s biggest acts such as Prime Circle, Fokofpolisekar and more.

Bonfire Buffalo will be releasing new music in the near future which will no doubt penetrate the hearts of both new and olds fans, garnering endless traction on their already fruitful journey.